Yup, by my understanding the NIR is the only real use for them. Foist a massive centralised database on the general population and force them into paying £100-£300+ each every five years for the privilege.

Shush, you two. Aren't you paying attention? These will be the "gold standard" for proving our identities. No need for those hideously old-fashioned passport things, nor birth certificates or the like. It will enable us to save all of, probably, two minutes on the rarely more than once yearly occasions where we need to prove who we are to people. Assuming the computer system's working properly. That's well worth the money.